NHL Eastern Conference Final: Defending champs have a tough foe in the underdog
In a wild and whacky first round, the Eastern Conference competitors spent long shifts and more overtimes than we could count trying to tear each other to pieces. In Round 2, however, nuanced ways to settle old rivalries took shape. Now, just two squads remain. One team, the underdog from the previous round. The second, the defending champs. Here is a look at the rosters gearing up to face off in the Eastern Conference Final.
Ottawa Senators
The New York Rangers were a heavy favorite in their matchup with Ottawa, with offense spread all throughout its roster and a goalie who got hot at the right time. The tough Senators had a different plan.
X-factor: No surprise here that it's Erik Karlsson. Mounting injuries did nothing to slow down the Norris-winning captain, who registered a goal and an assist in Ottawa's final tilt against New York. His leadership throughout these entire playoffs cannot be understated.
The difference maker for the Senators: Netminder Craig Anderson. He really turned on the jets when the playoffs started. He put the punctuation on the series against New York, making 37 saves in the series finale against the Rangers.
Player you might not be watching, but should be: Mark Stone. The Sens have been teeming with offensive support these playoffs, with Derick Brassard being "that guy" in the first round. Stone put his mark on Round 2, and could easily carry his momentum into the Eastern Conference Final.
Goalie performance so far in the playoffs: It really says something for Craig Anderson that he has helped his team this far in the playoffs. Maybe no matter than in Round 2, when he posted up on the ice opposite Henrik Lundqvist, who got hot for the Rangers at just the right time.
Extra edge over the Penguins: The toughness. Ottawa is going into the next series the underdog – again. But the Senators showed that flexing their muscle could beat the offensive depth of the Rangers, so why wouldn't they grind exactly the same against the Penguins?
Pittsburgh Penguins
Call it déjà vu, because that is basically what Pittsburgh is living right now. Just like last year, they bumped the rival Washington Capitals out of the post season in the second round. Now they tango in new territory, taking on the Senators.
X-factor: Everyone and their dog is going to point Sidney Crosby, but I think he should be sharing those honors with Jake Guentzel. The rookie notched eight goals in his first nine playoff tilts – a feat that has only been accomplished by the likes of Maurice Richard, Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.
The difference maker for the Penguins: We discussed ahead of Round 2 that Marc-Andre Fleury could make or break the series against Washington. He remains a huge piece of the Penguins' winning puzzle. (But we will gush over him a bit more later.)
Player you might not be watching, but should be: Of all the interesting plays that the Pens have produced in these playoffs, some of the niftiest have ricocheted off of Bryan Rust's stick. SB Nation referred to the winger earlier this post-season as Pittsburgh's "clutch war horse" and it is hard not to agree.
Goalie performance so far in the playoffs: Fleury's resurgence in these playoffs is something to behold. His play was downright filthy against Washington's sharp-shooters, none more than in Game 7 when he shut the Capitals out all together.
Extra edge over the Senators: This sounds like a no-brainer, but yes, the Pens have the edge in experience here. Recent experience, no less. Plus, even the toughest teams have trouble containing Pittsburgh's speed, which should be on full display against Ottawa.
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